All present included Mayor Hart,
Council Member Elwell,
Council Member McDonald,
Council Member Mendenhall,
Council Member Roberts,
Council Member Densley,
and
City Recorder Kari D. Jimenez.
STAFF:
City Manager Judy Gubler,
City Attorney Dale Coulam,
Director of Public Safety Bob Flowers,
Parks and Recreation Director Benny Sorensen,
and
Director of Finance Alan Rae.
EXCUSED: None.
Audience: Barbara Rusick, Kim Rubel, Connie Butterfield, Kerry & Deanne Haut, Jenny Johnson, Melanie Hunt, George Stoddard, Jim Craig, Jay Tullis, Jayma Dennett, Kyle Dennett, David Hunt, Lance Anderson and others who did not sign in.
Council Member Mendenhall led the Flag Salute
Council Member McDonald gave the Invocation
Council Member Mendenhall disclosed she is a member of INKAS but not in the capacity of an officer or director. There were no other disclosures or conflicts of interest with items on this meeting's agenda.
Judy Gubler stated this agenda item has been postponed due to individuals being unavailable.
Connie Butterfield reported that per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ivins City that approved in August, 2011, INKAS is willing to provide financial aid in order for the City to continue to operate as a No Kill facility. It was INKAS’ first year of operations in 2011 and INKAS’ spent $4,921 on behalf of the Ivins Animal Shelter. Of that amount, $3,496 was for veterinarian bills, grooming, food supplies, cat litter, toys, dishes, pools and office supplies for the shelter. INKAS also procured and shared with Ivins City in-kind donations. INKAS made 59 trips to local veterinarians and two (2) trips to Best Friends in Kanab, absorbing the associated gasoline costs and wear and tear to private vehicles. INKAS Directors fostered eight (8) cats and one (1) dog and collectively volunteer 302 hours of time working at the shelter. At minimum wage that work is valued at $2,190. The Mayor and City Council thanked them for their service.
Sergeant Durfee provided an update to the City Council indicating nearly two (2) years ago Ivins City signed the Community Covenant and since then the program has increased. A standard operating procedure has been created for how the program is run in the State of Utah and throughout the nation. Other States are now attending Utah’s programs. Ivins has been a pioneer in this program.
Judy Gubler provided written reports on behalf of Parks and Recreation Director Benny Sorensen and Director of Public Safety Bob Flowers. Copies of the reports are available by request through Ivins City Hall.
| A. |
Public Hearing to receive input on the adoption of the approved Tentative Budgets for Fiscal Year Ending 06/30/2013 and Estimate to Complete Budgets for the Fiscal Year Ending 06/30/2012 |
| 9. |
Municipal Building Authority Fund |
Judy Gubler referred to a PowerPoint presentation, a copy of which is available upon request through Ivins City Hall. The budget process is as follows: The Department Heads presented their requests; the City Council prioritized the needs; the Tentative Budgets were presented to the City Council on May 3, 2012; approval of the Tentative Budgets went before the City Council on May 17, 2012; a Public Hearing to receive input on the adoption of the approved Tentative Budgets is before the City Council tonight and adoption of the approved budgets will be considered on June 21, 2012.
Judy referred to the General Fund Highlights: Increased revenue for 2012 and 2013; services, programs and general costs increasing that are balanced by continuing to operate with reduced staffing levels. All employees are more productive; continuing to monitor expenses and look for efficiencies; continuing to seek grant funds; reviewing opportunities for shared resources; and the General Fund Balance/Reserves increased 225% from 2008 to 2012. Revenue assumptions are: growth assumption of 3% based on building permits; other revenue conservative estimate based on history; no property tax increase; and use of $61,000 from Reserves. Expenditure assumptions are: a COLA (cost of living adjustment) to the 2008 level; part-timer to full-time in Parks plus part-time hours; and street maintenance and replacement. Every employee is doing more and doing so with dedication and appreciation. There are several proposed projects for the City and the total debt for the City has decreased from $14,625,304 to $13,860,505 with the total legal debt limit allowed being $83,668,501. Ivins City is providing quality programs, projects and services in the most timely and least costly manner. Council Member Roberts referred to the Certified Tax Rate and inquired if that is increased or decreased with growth. Alan Rae stated the Certified Tax Rate is decreased with growth because the assessed value is changing. The Certified Tax Rate allows the City to obtain the same revenue as the previous years. Ivins has not had a tax rate increase since the Truth in Taxation process in 2005.
Mayor Hart opened the Public Hearing and indicated he received one letter from resident Lisa Rutherford with comments on a number of aspects of the budget. Lisa Rutherford requested the five (5) page letter be read in its entirety but the Mayor said he would address some of her comments during this discussion. He encouraged anyone that wanted a copy of the letter to obtain it through the City. Kerry Haut resides at 418 W. 280 S. in Ivins and referred to the bus service proposal. He questioned the fiscal responsibility of spending $61,000 annually when the request for the service was made by one resident. He referred to a general survey about the bus service and indicated no one he’s talked to is familiar with that survey. Judy Gubler stated the survey was done approximately two (2) years ago and was sent out with the newsletter, with a request to be sent back. A summary of those results is available by request through Ivins City Hall. Kerry Haut indicated he would support a reasonable accommodation but thinks other options should be considered first. Mayor Hart clarified that the bus service program being looked at is the most economical by far and the up front cost is a one time cost and then Ivins City intends to cooperate with another City. The operation costs are approximately $27,000 a year. With the Veterans facility being built in Ivins, there is a need for public transportation and that need increases dramatically when that care facility is completed. There being no other comments, Mayor Hart closed the Public Hearing.
Council Member Roberts made the following statement: "I had proposed to reduce the property mill levy by 10%, a similar percentage to the raise in the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to the City employees. It would only reduce the revenue to Ivins City by approximately half of what the proposed cost of the Cost of Living Adjustment would cost the tax payers of the City. I felt and still feel that the citizens of Ivins deserve to have their tax liability reduced i.e. a minor Cost of Living Adjustment to them. Even if it’s just a small amount this year, it could be expanded next year and the following years. I believe we need to try to be lean on a continuous basis, not just because times are lean. As we continue to collect taxes in such a way that it increases the fund balance even in lean years, this I feel is not fiscally responsible to our citizens if we collect taxes and then spend them. We need to be prudent enough with them in the fund balance increases and instead of lowering the revenue by lowering the mill levy on the property taxes, that’s what we need to do. We think we need to spend it because we have needs and we have the fund balance and so we spend it and put it in our budget. Back on the Cost of Living Adjustment, I believe a 5, 6 or even 7% Cost of Living Adjustment for City employees would be fair. Even if the mill levy was lowered by 10% we could meet that without any significant cuts because we would be offsetting each other." Mayor Hart indicated he sensed a general sense of support of Council Member Roberts' suggestions but it was determined this is not the year to do that. Mayor Hart referred to Lisa Rutherford’s letter and asked Alan Rae to provide a response to her questions in the letter.
Alan Rae stated the two main areas Lisa Rutherford questioned in expenditures were General Government and Law Enforcement. The General Government section increased primarily because of the bus service and an engineering review of the electrical system which are both one time expenditures. Those items have not been approved by the City Council. Law Enforcement increased substantially but was offset in the income section by $700,000 of revenue that will come from Santa Clara City. When you take the increase in this year's Law Enforcement budget and subtract $700,000, there is a savings of $230,000. Law Enforcement is part of the General Fund and there is General Fund Income in one section and General Fund Expenses in another section but when you look at the two jointly you see the savings. Regarding the COLA, the City has been looking at what’s occurring nationally and most companies that froze wages during the economic downturn have eliminated those freezes. Approximately 14% of private companies still have a wage freeze in place. It was 80% a couple of years ago. The Social Security increase over the last two (2) years has been 9.5%. New college graduates are making 4.5-5% more than a year ago.
Council Member McDonald requested an explanation of the 9.6% COLA proposed increase for City staff. Alan Rae indicated that number is coming from Social Security increases that have occurred over the last two (2) years. The increase two (2) years ago was 5.8% and 3.6% this last year which totals 9.4%. This is a compound situation. The 3.6% is based on already having the 5.8% in place so the total comes to 9.6%. Mayor Hart requested Judy Gubler explain how the proposed COLA compares to 2008 levels, the length of the wage freeze that has been in place and how the proposed increase takes it back to the 2008 level. Council Member McDonald also requested information on what other cities are doing.
Judy Gubler stated the City used information from the Social Security Department which falls in line with all of the other Cost of Living Adjustments. From 2005 through 2008 the City did a lot of market research to be sure City employee salary ranges were competitive and then the City held the wages. The reason the General Fund has increased over the last four (4) years has primarily been because salaries were held every year. Every employee has gone above and beyond and she did not want to tell them that they were not worth as much today as they were in 2008. The staff is extraordinary and it is cost effective to retain them. A big part of Judy’s job has been to build staff to the professional level that it is today. She now sees part of her job to retain staff. Now is the time to bring them current to what they would have been had the Cost of Living Adjustment been increased every year. It’s difficult to compare public to private. The private sector has a wide variety of benefits including bonuses, flex time and other perks. In the public sector during the hold time, cities reached for ways that were economical to retain their employees. Some cities gave a bonus, a COLA and a merit increase and some gave one or the other. The COLA that is proposed does not include the COLA increase since January of this year, which is already 3%. The City should retain the best and maintain the efficiencies and proficiencies that the City has. Mayor Hart indicated the level of performance continues to rise as training programs are attended.
Council Member Densley stated he has been working closely with the city employees and indicated they aren’t complaining and he feels they are entitled to the proposed COLA. The City employees would be making more and doing better if they were in the private sector. He supports the COLA increase 100%. Council Member Mendenhall stated she put some feelers out after the last City Council meeting regarding the proposed COLA and the number of responses she received from individuals she knows as acquaintances was that the consensus of opinions was summed up with an email from one of those individuals. The email said "I dislike taxes as much as anyone, save perhaps Council Member Roberts but I feel that my taxes to Ivins are about the only taxes for which I see any direct benefits. Plus, I see more effective efforts at using those funds in a frugal manner than any other governmental agency has shown. I would support a tax cut from the state or county well before I’d like to save the minor sum from a City tax rate reduction." She agreed with that comment. She thinks the Council is conscious of the fact that the budget needs to be held to a certain standard and close to the line. Mayor Hart indicated he has witnessed some remarkable efficiencies over the past few years since becoming Mayor and has worked closely with staff. If it were his staff and his business he would feel fortunate. It’s a very, very productive and cost conscious group working for the City.
Council Member Elwell referred to Lisa Rutherford’s letter and responded to the following budget items: Regarding the expenditure of $61,000 for the SunTran expansion to Ivins, he inquired if the City ignores those with physical ambulatory challenges for the sake of smaller government to save a few dollars in property tax, would the City sacrifice those who need this service. He referred to energy/power and indicated it’s similar to foreign oil. He inquired if the City invests some tax payers’ monies for future, more affordable energy or remain hostage to Rocky Mountain and their ever increasing fees that the City has no control over. He agrees with the Council Members and all others who desire to trim property taxes but the City must acknowledge that the portion of property tax that Ivins controls is only pennies on the dollar relative to the portion of property tax that Ivins doesn’t control. The City is in a position to provide a desperately needed service to a segment of Ivins residents who lack independence due to physical or mental challenges. SunTran runs in both directions and could boost Ivins' economy by exposing Ivins' current and future services. If Ivins is successful in securing an alternative to the current energy supplier, the long range in-pocket savings to Ivins residents could be much greater than any savings realized through a reduction in that portion of property tax Ivins controls. Regarding Parks and Recreation, history shows how quality of life will decay when recreation opportunities are not available. Youth especially will recreate either through positive interaction with provided organized opportunities or through negative hijinks that adversely affect quality of life. Regarding Law Enforcement, there were deep cuts last year made in Public Safety and those were not made up in this budget. The advances made through this budget and the cost savings is as was pointed out in personnel. The City has a greater flexibility and ability to cover when things go wrong.
Judy Gubler stated there has been a request from INKAS to remove section 2)c that reads "INKAS shall show shelter animals at local pet adoption events and/or otherwise facilitate adoptions in accordance with shelter policy." That clause is what triggered the need for an indemnification. If the indemnification is not going to be signed, that clause needs to be removed. Dale Coulam indicated only a portion of that clause needs to be removed. The issue is taking the animals as an outside separate entity. That triggers an indemnification agreement. If animals are transported and there is no signed indemnification in place, the transportation can only be by a shelter employee or an Ivins City volunteer under the direction and control of an Ivins City volunteer. Council Member Mendenhall stated an Ivins City volunteer signs a waiver which means they take the liability upon themselves. That’s the issue with INKAS. INKAS cannot absorb that liability. She inquired what the difference would be of INKAS signing the waiver as opposed to a volunteer signing the waiver. Dale Coulam indicated the distinction is if INKAS is acting on behalf of INKAS, they are acting on behalf of a separate entity and there is no insurance coverage by the City. If persons associated with INKAS are acting as a City volunteer under the direction and control of a City employee then that falls under Ivins insurance coverages, including Workers Comp. He suggested section 2)c of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) be amended to read "INKAS shall facilitate adoptions in accordance with shelter policy." He stated that FIAS (Friends of Ivins Animal Shelter) has executed an Indemnification Agreement and they would have the ability to check out an animal on behalf of FIAS and transport it and they would also have the option to sign in as an Ivins City volunteer and be covered as an Ivins volunteer. Council Member Mendenhall clarified that in order to be an Ivins City volunteer, they go through the police department where paper work is filled out, drug testing and other requirements are done. Barbara Rusick referred to Connie Butterfield and Kim Rubel already working at the shelter and being told they did not need to go through the police procedure because they were grandfathered in. She inquired if that was the case or if they should go through the police procedure. Dale Coulam stated that wasn’t a problem and stated that since they were already shelter volunteers, they would not need to go through an further procedures. Once they’re a volunteer the main key is that they are acting under the direction and control of the animal shelter manager. INKAS agreed to the verbiage change.
MOTION: Council Member Mendenhall moved to approve Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between Ivins City and INKAS with the stated documented changes by the City Attorney
SECOND: Council Member Elwell
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Dale Coulam indicated he is looking for the parameters and direction of where the Council wants to see this agenda item go and from that he would draft a proposed amendment which would then be addressed at the Planning Commission with a Public Hearing and then onto the City Council. Council Member Elwell doesn’t think an amendment should occur. He has a problem with knowingly creating a loop hole that would allow an end run around an otherwise appropriate restriction. The amendment would allow for a possible abdication of responsibility by the animals' owner for the care of the animals. The amendment could also entice a collaboration between two (2) owners to conspire and defeat the restriction of two (2) animals per lot and could create a commercial boarding business. If it is the intent of the City Council to allow two (2) adjoining properties to remove their common fence, it should be required that 1) each property owner must maintain the required shelter and provide the necessary care for the animal or animals; and 2) each owner must produce proof of ownership and that proof must be acceptable to the State of Utah. A Bill of Sale alone is not acceptable as proof of horse ownership in Utah. Council Member Roberts looks at it differently and doesn’t think it matters who owns the horse. The requirement to take care of the horse is still there. The City shouldn’t micromanage people’s lives. He would like to move forward with an amendment. Council Member Densley agreed with Council Member Roberts. If the neighbor agrees and they want to share, he does not have a problem. Two (2) horses per lot remains the limit. Council Member Mendenhall is in favor of keeping it to two (2) contiguous properties. Currently both property owners have separate feeding and shelter stations. The limit would be kept at two (2) horses per lot with no more than four (4) horses but she is open to a group discussion as to the possibility of three (3) properties being contiguous. She referred to the Bill of Sale not holding up in the State of Utah and inquired what document would. Council Member Elwell stated a Certificate of Brand Inspection. To change title for a horse in Utah, a brand inspection is required whether or not the horse is branded. The horse is not required to be branded. Council Member McDonald commented that the micromanaging was done a long time ago. His concern with an amendment is it would affect everybody else’s property rights that agreed to the limit of two (2) horses. He would like the Council to keep that in mind and inquired if the City is accommodating one (1) or agreeing to what was originally agreed upon. The City would be setting precedence on future items, not just horses. Dale Coulam inquired as to the consensus regarding the requirement for the owners of the two properties also being required to be the owners of the potential four (4) horses. Council Member Mendenhall, Council Member Densley and Council Member Roberts are ok with the horses not being owned by the individuals that own the lots. Council Member McDonald stated he is not in favor of three (3) contiguous lots. Council Member Elwell indicated the City would be crafting an ordinance specifically for two (2) or three (3) properties and inquired if that is appropriate throughout the city. He reminded the City Council that a property line adjustment could open the door for a business to board horses and abuses that the City will not be able to enforce. Dale Coulam stated he will draft an ordinance with the basic parameters and that will be the starting point for discussion with the Planning Commission. Judy Gubler referred to the process and indicated there will be a Public Hearing at both the Planning Commission and the City Council.
Judy Gubler stated City Attorney Dale Coulam drafted this agreement and the highlighted changes are to address the issue of the agreement being terminated before the truck is paid for.
MOTION: Council Member Densley moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement Between The City of Santa Clara and Ivins City to Share Use and Costs of Sewer Cleaning Trucks
SECOND: Council Member McDonald
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Chuck Gillette indicated these improvements were discussed when the contractor was doing the Historic Township improvements and the Council decided to defer the reconstruction of 200 East Street from Center Street to 200 North until it was known what was going to occur with the property that the VA is now building on. The City has made an agreement to use the same contractor the VA is using to complete the road improvements.
MOTION: Council Member McDonald moved to approve the expenditure for the reconstruction of 200 East Street from Center Street to 200 North in the amount of $87,000
SECOND: Council Member Densley
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Chuck Gillette stated he received two (2) bids, one from A-T Asphalt and the other from Western Rock Products. A-T Asphalt is the low bid and staff is recommending the bid be awarded to A-T Asphalt.
MOTION: Council Member Roberts moved to approve expenditure of $1,217,000 and award Contract No. 12-02 2012 Street Improvements to A-T Asphalt, Inc.
SECOND: Council Member Mendenhall
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Dale Coulam indicated this is a housekeeping item. There have been several out-of-state applicants' and the City realized a Utah BCI does not show any criminal history of the applicants resident state. The amendment would clarify that an out-of-state applicant would need to provide an equivalent of a BCI background check from their home state.
MOTION: Council Member Roberts moved to approve Ordinance No. 2012-06, an Ordinance of Ivins City, Utah, Clarifying BCI Background Check Requirement for Residential Solicitation Permit
SECOND: Council Member McDonald
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Roll call vote. All Council Members voted in favor.
Dale Coulam stated this is a housekeeping item as well that would allow the City to maintain the same level of benefits, execute the necessary documents and proceed with open enrollment that starts June 8, 2012.
MOTION: Council Member Densley moved to approve Resolution No. 2012-08R, a Resolution of Ivins City, Utah, Maintaining Level of Employee Core Benefits
SECOND: Council Member Mendenhall
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Roll call vote. All Council Members voted in favor.
Judy Gubler indicated the St. George Regional Wastewater fee charged to Ivins will be reduced effective July 1, 2012 and the City would like to pass the savings to Ivins residents.
MOTION: Council Member Roberts moved to approve Resolution No. 2012-09R, a Resolution of Ivins City, Utah, Amending the User Rates for Wastewater
SECOND: Council Member McDonald
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Roll call vote. All Council Members voted in favor.
Council Member Densley reported the footings were poured for the Veterans facility and they are preparing to pour the floor.
Council Member Roberts - no report
Council Member Mendenhall - no report
Council Member McDonald inquired if someone has a grammatical correction if that can be submitted before the meeting or would that need to be addressed at the City Council meeting. Dale Coulam indicated grammatical corrections can be submitted prior to the meeting. If there are questions as to what something means or if there is a concern regarding substance in the document, it would be appropriate to bring that up in the meeting. Council Member McDonald encouraged the Council to submit grammatical and spelling corrections prior to the City Council meetings.
Council Member Elwell commended the Animal Shelter Manager Aggie Smith. She attended training in Salt Lake City regarding disaster preparedness relating to animals. Aggie created a plan and contacted the area shelter managers and rescue groups and invited them to a seminar that she held in St. George. The seminar was well attended and she did a great job. He requested that the City not overlook an evacuation program for animals because in general people will not leave their animals. In an emergency situation it would be difficult to place horses in a van and it would not be unrealistic for the City to cause individuals to have the availability to move their animals. He reported that FIAS (Friends of Ivins Animal Shelter) and INKAS (Ivins No Kill Animal Supporters) are willing to partner and cost share on the wayfinding signs if it’s possible to add a panel to the sign to help people find the Ivins animal shelter. The Mayor and other City Council members agreed that would be a great thing.
Mayor Hart reported that he spoke to the St. George Chamber of Commerce and focused on the Veteran’s Nursing Home and the Eagle Monument. He referred to Snow Canyon State Park and read the following titled "The Future of Snow Canyon" "The first time I saw Snow Canyon I was awestruck by is surreal geologic structures and breathtaking beauty. It’s the reason I settled near its entrance in Ivins. When I heard just over a year ago that it may be withdrawn from the State Parks System I immediately became concerned. Believing that Ivins City is in the best position to provide sensitive oversight and security I offered our services in the event of a change.
No action was taken in the legislature because an agreement was reached with The Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and State Parks to seek a solution to Representative Don Ipson’s concerns over park access and use. Shortly thereafter State officials met with community leaders to assess perceived problems and explore possible solutions.
Eventually I was invited to attend a combined meeting with the State officials, County Commissioners and other municipal leaders. In that meeting alternatives to removal from the State Parks system were considered. Fred Hayes, the then acting State Parks Director suggested that an inter-local agreement for the management of the Park be created that would keep Snow Canyon in the State Parks system while giving the County and surrounding communities a greater voice in future policy decisions. He later provided a template for such an agreement.
I was subsequently invited to attend a second meeting during which the details of such an arrangement were explored. Due to the sensitive nature of the discussions we local leaders were asked by Darin Bird of DNR and Fred Hayes not to discuss the issues under consideration. We have honored that request. Apparently others have not, and judging by the reaction there is enough misinformation and doomsday speculation circulating that I am compelled to share the facts.
The idea of a five member board with representatives from State Parks, Washington County, St. George City, Santa Clara City and Ivins City is being considered. If created the board would assume the parks management and budget oversight. Other ideas discussed included the County and surrounding cities providing maintenance and security services in exchange for elimination of entrance fees for Washington County residents. Thoughtful expansion of recreational opportunities like re-claiming the sand-dunes was also discussed with no mention of ATVs by the way.
As part of he Red Cliffs Desert Reserve any change in recreational policy would be required to meet Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) regulations. The complaint calling for an extension of the public access period for Johnson’s Arch has in fact already gone before the Habitat Conservation Advisory Committee (HCAC) and Technical Committee who found that it could be extended by a month without harming habitat. A similar process would no doubt be followed for other suggested changes.
In 1998 a committee consisting primarily of environmentally oriented local members in conjunction with State Parks completed the Resource Management Plan (RMP) for Snow Canyon State Park. It is the blueprint and strategic plan for the future of the Park reaffirming its mission objectives and establishing methods of implementation. Involvement of the County and surrounding communities (with Ivins City specifically noted) in the governance of Snow Canyon is one of its fundamental tenets requiring "that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with local communities to provide joint oversight of the park and its management" be created.
Sadly it never was, so in the intervening years decisions have been made without local input that although applauded by some have left others feeling excluded from the park either by fees or restrictions or both. Many have given up favorite pastimes like taking the kids to the sand dunes or enjoying a scenic drive through the park. Given its ecologically sensitive nature some restriction were inevitable as were user fees in some form as the principal source of funding. But many were caught off guard when the toll booths were installed and when the sand dunes appeared to be no longer in use. Most recently gates at the two entrances were scheduled to be installed denying access to the park overnight with no consultation with the County or surrounding communities as required by the RMP.
The current park management and staff have done a great job implementing the "conservation" and "education" directives contained in the RMP’s vision statement. Perhaps the third leg of that vision, "serving the recreational interests of its visitors" has received less attention. I’m personally convinced that when it comes to a cherished resource like Snow Canyon that a policy of inclusion is preferable to one of exclusion and that there are creative ways to accommodate varied interests without destroying the beauty and serenity of the park.
We’re compelled to address the perception that the park has been systematically "closed off" to many of our residents. I realize that it will be tricky balancing environmental concerns and recreational interests and that traffic safety and trail use must continue to be carefully monitored. But to those who believe that any effort to address these concerns will result in the destruction of the Park I respectfully disagree. If the will exists and the effort is made solutions can be found, and the County an surroundin communities as clearly defined stake holders have a right to be involved in finding them.
Some have expressed frustration about not being included in earlier discussions. Ironically, had State Parks lived up to the terms of its own RMP and involved us in theirs we wouldn’t be having this one. Furthermore, it is almost always the case in dealing with complicated issues that negotiations take place and recommendations are developed without public input. Those recommendations are then taken into the public forum before County Commissions and City Councils who then discuss them and make decisions concerning them generally after receiving public comment. No one is ignored or excluded in that process.
I have arranged for the Snow Canyon Resource Management Plan (RMP) to be posted on our Ivins.com website. I suggest that you read it before you solidify your opinion or pass judgment. I assure you that I and other involved officials care as much about Snow Canyon State Park as you do and take offense at the suggestion that our intent is to exploit or worse yet callously destroy this precious resource. We are simply re-claiming our right on behalf of all our constituents to be involved in determining its future. Chris Hart Ivins City Mayor". A copy of this document is available by request through Ivins City Hall.
The City Council Members like the idea of Ivins being involved and using the Snow Canyon Resource Management Plan as the basis for future use.
Mayor Hart reported he has had personal comments and emails regarding what is going to be placed in the center of the new round-about on Center Street and Tuacahn Drive. He thought it would be fun to extend an invitation to the residents to provide the City with their ideas and then come up with a method to make a decision. The Council Members agreed. The information will be placed in an upcoming newsletter.
Judy Gubler provided follow-up notes to the City Council, a copy of which are available by request through Ivins City Hall. She referred to the Business Directory and indicated there has been a great response with people commenting that they didn’t know there were that many businesses in Ivins. In the upcoming newsletter it will be mentioned how a business can be included in the directory. She will also include information regarding the sharing of resources with Santa Clara and the idea regarding suggestions for the center of the roundabout. She reported that she called Rocky Mountain Power to schedule a meeting regarding municipalization of the power system but has not heard back from them and that meeting has not been scheduled. She referred to the City Council meeting schedule and stated there will be a joint City Council meeting with Santa Clara on July 2, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at Santa Clara City to swear in the officers. The Mayor and City Council Members agreed to cancel the July 5, 2012 City Council meeting. They also decided to hold a City Council meeting on October 4, 2012 due to the Heritage Days events not taking place on that day. At the next City Council meeting there will be an agenda item regarding the Grand Marshal for the 24th of July Parade and there has been a suggestion that Irvin Ence be appointed as the Grand Marshal. He was born in 1925 and is a long-time resident of Ivins. The Mayor and City Council agreed to that appointment. Staff is preparing the cemetery to open additional plots and Alan Rae received another award on behalf of the City for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Regarding law enforcement, both cities are working on the car colors and logo, name of the department and the badge. Council Member Elwell indicated he is surprised there hasn’t been dialogue with the City Council as to what the police department should be named and requested the Council discuss that.
| D. |
City Attorney, Dale Coulam |
No report
| E. |
Items to be placed on future agendas - None |